Important information
The winter did not scare people off: more than 130 000 visitors attended the first Lights Festival of Vilnius
Vilnius celebrated its 696th birthday full of light and with crowds of enlighted people – according to the calculations made by the organizers of the event, about 130 000 visitors of the festival enjoyed 27 light installations displayed for three consecutive evenings.
The entire route of lights was full of visitors, and lines formed at the entrances to certain objects. “Gediminas of Nowadays” was one of the most photographed installations and widely shared in all social networks. The stand of emotions created by the City of Vilnius together with the Vilnius Gediminas Technical University was among the most appreciated light objects in the 3.7 km route discussed in social networks. It would light up the monument of the Three Crosses in the colour of the emotion of the person standing in the stand. Many were fascinated by the trip on the red “Fluxus” bridge or the laser forest set up at the Town Hall Square. People enjoyed the magical flying carpets and the resonator installed in the Church of St. Catherine.
“The tradition of celebrating the birthday of Vilnius created for several years burst in the most beautiful colours this year – festive events, dozens of light installations, hundreds of greetings to Vilnius and thousands of people in the wintery streets of Vilnius. I consider this to be a great start in preparing for the 700th anniversary of Vilnius in 4 years – this is when the message about Vilnius must spread throughout Europe and the world. I have no doubt that this is exactly what will happen”, said Remigijus Šimašius, Mayor of Vilnius.
According to the Mayor, after the festival of lights received so many positive opinions, the plan is to make it a permanent tradition of celebrating the birthday of Vilnius.
During the Lights Festival of Vilnius, the Town Hall Square, Vokiečių Street, the Bernardine Garden and other spaces in the Old Town loved by residents of Vilnius and city guests changed unrecognizably, with the illumination of the major objects, such as the Church of St Anne and the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Consolation, coming as the biggest surprise, while unique installations in the city lured with their interactivity, sound or size.
Professionals from 8 countries, including Lithuania, Portugal, Austria, Slovenia, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Australia, France and Japan, created the 27 installations of the festival.
Marketing and Communications Department, vrt@vilnius.lt
Also read:
Vilnius calls Lithuania to celebrate the 16th of February
Vilnius invites to special events to celebrate the Statehood on the 16th of February: new and traditional events to celebrate the restoration of the State of Lithuania will be held in main squares and streets of the capital. In addition to the traditional events valued by all, the visitors will... ❯❯❯
2022-02-10
2023 Will Be Big for Vilnius: Capital Starts Countdown Till 700th Anniversary
Vilnius started year-round preparations for its 700th anniversary in 2023. The countdown till the grand birthday includes cultural, art, educational events, and a beloved Light Show. January 25, 2022. On January 25th Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, started the official countdown till its... ❯❯❯
2022-01-27
Fusion of classical and modern works of light art on the route of the 4th Vilnius International Festival of Lights
On Tuesday, 25 January, Vilnius will celebrate its 699th birthday with the traditional lighting of the installations of the Vilnius International Festival of Lights. For five days until 29 January, an unprecedented number of light artists from around the world—France, the Netherlands,... ❯❯❯
2022-01-25
Counting of the days left to the 700th anniversary of Vilnius starts this 25th of January
As one year precisely is left until the capital’s anniversary, the symbolic clock will be set off in Vilnius. It will be calculating the days left until the 700th anniversary of Vilnius. We are going to celebrate the holiday of the entire country – the 700th anniversary of the Lithuanian... ❯❯❯
2022-01-13
Vilnius belfry is going to shine in video projections when year 2022 is welcomed
The belfry of Vilnius Cathedral Basilica is going to revive on the New Year’s Eve – the festive installation of video projections will invite you to take a journey in time that will shine symbolically during the conversion of years and time. Modern installation is already the third during the... ❯❯❯
2021-12-29
Final Days of December in Vilnius: a Comeback of a Marvellous Christmas Fairy Tale
On Christmas, after a year-long hiatus, Vilnius welcomes back one of its traditional events – Christmas Fairy Tale, shown on the Grand Stage at the Cathedral Stage. This year, spectators will see A Christmas Carol, based on a novella of the same name by Charles Dickens. ‘Each year we try to... ❯❯❯
2021-12-23